I am an 86 year old female. I had the whipple 6 weeks ago and do not recommend it. Lots of painful gas pains and cramping. Apparently the creon causes the gas pains. Not sure how long they last.

I’m 73 and I’m having the whipper in the new year at the university of PA Perlman center. Dr Charles Vollmer is doing the surgery. I do not have cancer but my main duct is dialated 8cm and I have two mucinous cysts one on the head and one on the tail IPMN. The surgeon I saw at tower health wanted to remove my entire pancreas. I went to Penn for a second opinion with Dr Vollmer. I feel ok but I am already taking Creon digestive enzymes. I’m scared but Ido jot want this to turn into cancer. There’s an 80% chance that it will. Good luck to you and your Mom

I had the Whipple this past June at age 71. I did not have cramps or painful gas as johnny1955 did, but every person is different. But not an easy surgery, I wasn't moving around like before, of course, cutting you open and taking things out (part of pancreas plus gallbladder plus duodenum) means you have to give it time afterwards, for healing. So yes, some pain and discomfort. I was given a prescription for oxycodine, took I think 2 pills total, taking Tylenol was really all I needed. I could not run up and down our stairs as previously, but at 6 weeks post I had recovered 90%. I was in excellent condition before being diagnosed (stage 1, malignancy).
I also take the pancreatic enzymes - not Creon, but ZenPep, I think they are about the same. I have had some digestion issues (loose stools), comes and goes, and hard to determine if this is a result of my pancreas not functioning like it did, or something I ate? It’s kind of tricky, trial and error. Your Mom should have a dietician available through the hospital and consulting with them as often as needed is helpful.
If I were you and you are able to get in without a long wait (Mayo is so excellent and I know they don't do surgery anytime they don't have to) I would take your Mom for a second opinion. Unless you have unwavering faith that the recommendation you have gotten from the U of PA for the surgery is the right one for your Mom, and she is ready to go for it (and is not ready to give up…sounds like if they don't do the surgery, the mass will probably become cancerous?). Probably U of PA is highly thought of, and do lots of Whipples. I read that you need a high volume hospital - for the Whipple - and your surgeon does 15-20 of these at least in a year.
But I’m not sure how to get in as a patient at Mayo, so that might not be an option, or even how to get in for just a consult might be a wait.
I did not get a second opinion, due to the mass being malignant I did not want to wait to start on chemo which is what I needed to do before surgery. Had faith in the UCCHealth system which is where I get my care here in CO.
At age 71 I was not AT ALL ready to go, I think one’s mental attitude means a lot when one is deciding between options. Good luck!

@ruch66 Hi and welcome to Mayo Connect. Others have provided some of their experiences. What other concerns do you have?

@ruch66, you got some helpful responses from others who have had Whipple surgery. Did you and your mom and her care team decide to go ahead with surgery or choose a different treatment option?

I would not recommend the Whipple..it has been over 2 months since my surgery. Pain almost all the time. Lots of painful gas. Can't eat much and have started to lose weight. Am taking creon which gives me gas. Not a quality life for sure.

Hello Everyone,

Thank you for the responses. On the advice of her doctor who put her stent in, she is going to meet and talk with the surgeon to get his thoughts. Given her age and heart issues, she is leaning against the procedure for the time being.